NRL funding war could trigger club battle

The clubs last week issued a vote of no confidence in commission chairman John Grant after a hostile meeting over funding.

Representatives from Canterbury, North Queensland, Cronulla and Melbourne walked out on talks after the in-principle agreement to fund clubs at 130% of the salary cap from 2018 was taken off the table.

The funding model, which was agreed to by all parties last year, was set to provide an extra $100 million to the 16 clubs per year.

As is the case with most other clubs, the Sharks have a group of stars coming out of contract at the end of the 2017 season they are eager to sign but have been hamstrung by the stalling negotiations with the commission.

In turn, they are being left open to potential raids as rival clubs circle.